Weatherproof covering closure fastener



Sept. 1, 1953 J LA MOND 2,650,401

WEATHERPROOF COVERING CLOSURE FASTENER Filed April 16, 1951 Fig. 2

John A. La Mand INVENTOR.

. BY WM 19% Patented Sept. 1, 1 953 WEATHERPROOF COVERING CLOSURE FASTENER John B. La Mond, Washington, D. 0. Application April 1 6, 1951, Serial No. 221,117

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in coverings such as are commonly employed for heavy machinery, guns, tanks and other types of equipment which is being either transported or stored, and in particular, the invention concerns itself with certain structural improvements in closures which are used for connecting together adjacent edges of the covering so as to sustain the same in position.

In accordance with conventional practice, adjacent edges of the covering were laced together in a manner which permitted gaps or openings to remain at the edges, so that, as a result, the covering was by no means weatherproof and wind, moisture, snow, ice, etc. were permitted to enter the covering and cause damage to the contents. Moreover, the penetration of wind through the lacings had a tendency to dislodge the covering from the object on which it was placed, whereby the covering was subjected to a considerable amount of shifting movement, resulting in friction with the enclosedobject. This internal friction was of such a magnitude that the covering not only had to be made of substantial weight and durability, but even under the best of conditions, was usually subjected to considerable wear, tearing and other damage, requiring frequent and extensive repairs.

The instant invention eliminates all the above outlined disadvantages by providing a closure which is absolutely weatherproof as against Wind, rain, snow, sleet, ice, etc. and which, as such, not only prevents the entry of weather into the cover, but also prevents the cover from shifting on the covered object, thus eliminating internal friction and permitting the cover to be made from relatively lighter material, without impairing its durability.

Some other advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction and in its ability to be quickly and easily closed or opened.

With the above more important objects and features in view, and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a group perspective view, showing adjacent portions of coverings together with the closure in its opened position;

Figure 2 is a sectional detail of the subject shown in Figure 1, but in its closed position, and

Figure 3 is an elevational view of one of the fastener members used in the invention.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the reference characters [0 and I2 designate, respectively, first and second sheets of flexible covering material, such as canvas, or the like, the invention residing in the provision of a weatherproof closure for securing adjacent edges of these sheets together.

The first sheet I0 has an edge portion [4 doubled outwardly upon itself, the term outwardly as used herein meaning at or to the outside of the cover when it is installed in position on a tank, gun, machinery, etc.

A plurality of fastener members designated generally by the reference character l6 are affixed at longitudinally spaced points to the first sheet l0, each of the fastener members l6 including a base [8 formed with a slot 20, and an upwardly or outwardly projecting, hook-shaped keeper 22 terminating at its free end in an enlarged extremity 24. The extremity 24 of the keeper 22 is spaced from the base l8 so as to afford a narrow passage 26 communicating with v the interior of the hook-shaped keeper, while an upstanding detent 28 is provided on the base [8 adjacent the extremity 24, so as to restrict, to some extent, the passage 26, as is clearly shown in Figure 3.

The bases l8 of the several keepers it are disposed between the first sheet l0 and the doubled edge portion I4 of the first sheet, while suitable webbing 30, stitched to the sheet ID at as 32, extends through the slots 20 and thereby sustains the several fastener members IS in position.

The doubled edge portion M of the sheet I0 is provided with suitable openings 34 through which the hook-shaped keepers 22 of the members I6 project outwardly, as is clearly shown in Figure 1.

The second sheet i2 is also provided with an edge portion 36 which is doubled outwardly upon the second sheet, and the sheet I2 as well as the doubled edge portion 36 thereof are provided with a plurality of elongated, eyes 38 which are adapted to receive the keepers 22 when the doubled edge portion of the sheet I2 is overlapped on the doubled edge portion of the sheet I0, as illustrated in Figure 2. Thereupon, a flexible fastening element such as a rope or cable 40 may be inserted laterally through the passages 26 into the hook-shaped keepers 22 of the fastener members I6, whereby to sustain the closure in its secured position. It is to be noted that by virtue of the passages 26, the fastener element 40 may assisted by the enlarged extremities 24 of the.

keepers, as shown.

The closure unit thus described, is effectively protected against weather by means of a flap 42 which is stitched or otherwise secured, as at dd,

along one edge thereof to the first sheet it, while the relatively opposite edge portion of the flap 42 is provided with a set of reinforcing eyes 66.

These eyes are adapted to receive additional fastener members 48 which are identical in construction to themembers. I6 and which are secured by relatively shortv lengths of webbing 56 to the second sheet. [2-, adjacent. the doubled portion 36.

A, flexible fastening element-52. is employed in conjunction. with the fastener.v members 58, and it is to. benotedlthat while the fastener members l6 arespaced closely. together, perhaps [6 or. it

inches apart, the fastener. members 48 are spaced further apart, perhaps fiveor. six feet, since their functionis onlylto sustain the flap 42 in position overthe closure, soastoprotect the closure from accumulation of.- moisture or ice, such as would impair. openingof the same.

Apart from beingprotected by the flap 32, the closure meansv arev also protected by the outturned. edge. portions 14-, 35 of: the respective sheets l0, I2 which function. as effective pockets forcatching any moisture onwind such as may find its way under .the protective fiap.

It is believedthat the, advantages and use of theinventionwill be .clearlyunderstood from the foregoingdisclosure andaccordingly, further description. thereof at. this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in. the foregoing there has been shown and. described. the. preferred embodiment of this invention, it. is. to. be understood that minor changes .in the details of v construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the claimed as new is:

In covering of the type described, the combination of a first flexible sheet having an edge portion. doubled, outwardly upon. itself. to. provide superposed; inner and outer layers, the outer layer being provided with an elongated opening having its longitudinal axis at right angles to the doubled edge of the first sheet, a rigid fastenerx member comprising an elongated base, an

invention, what is inverted J-shaped hook extending upwardly from one endojfsaid base and overlying the same in spaced relation, an enlarged head provided at the. free extremity of said hook, and an upstanding detent provided at the other end of the base and spaced from said head to afford a passage q n ns. with th nside of. heho l h b se, f sa d being. pro ded w th a rans.-

verse o a d sposedbet ee e i ner and;

outer layers of the first sheet, a tape secured1 be,- tween said inner and outer layers and extending through saidslot tosustain the fastener member, in pos aid. ook. and aid detent. projecting outwardly through saidopening above the outer. surface of the outer layenlasecondsheetsupfirr.

posed on the doubled edge portion of the first.

sheet and provided withan elongated eye having said hook nd a d deten pr e ng utwardl therethrough, and an. elongated flexible fasten; ing element extending. throughfsaidjhook ex,-

teriorly, of the second sheet s aid. element. being greater in thickness than thewidthofsaid pas,-v

sage but being, flexiblyv compressible for, later-all insertion and withdrawal therethroug h JOHN R. LA MQN-Dt renc C ed. n. he. le-o his at nt N TED- STATEfiI BAE EN S. 

